Andrew: Battling Childhood Cancer And Dedicating My Life To Its Defeat

Andrew Wicks, a survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), has shared his experience of being diagnosed with and treated for the disease. Wicks was diagnosed with ALL at the age of 12 after a persistent cough turned out to be a visible tumor around his lungs. He underwent intense chemotherapy, which prevented him from attending school or engaging in regular activities. After a relapse, Wicks had a stem cell transplant and continued to face various challenges associated with the treatment. His journey inspired him to study biology and pursue a career in cancer research. Wicks is currently in the fourth year of his PhD program at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), where he is studying the effects of PARP inhibitors on tumor cells. His ultimate goal is to develop treatments to prevent or treat drug-resistant tumors.

Wicks emphasizes the importance of research in improving treatments for childhood cancer and making them more targeted and kinder. He believes that kinder treatments would allow children to have a normal life outside of their illness. Wicks has seen firsthand the impact of research in the labs at the ICR on patients’ lives, and it motivates him to contribute to the mission of improving outcomes for everyone living with cancer. He hopes that one day, his research will help others facing a cancer diagnosis.


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